“I’m very proud of Lisa and I think we’re both important to the party,” she said.

Without naming Abbott, Martinez complained about “career politicians” and said the party’s success is at risk in a state where the “scenery is changing.”

Fritsch and Martinez complimented former candidate Tom Pauken. The Port Aransas Republican and former state party chairman withdrew Friday, explaining he saw “no realistic path to victory.”

Fritsch won a Tea Party straw poll over Pauken Nov. 10 in Austin after the only candidate forum of the campaign. Abbott declined the invitation.

“Tom made a lot of important points about the cronyism in Austin,” Fritsch said, noting the Friday indictment of a former executive of the state’s $300-milion-per-year cancer research fund. (Abbott used to be on that oversight committee but sent aides to the meetings.)

Martinez said she admired Pauken as a champion for South Texas.

“I was sorry to hear he dropped out,” she said.

“I think it’s better for the party to have more candidates, not just one. Voters get more involved when there’s a choice.”

Fritsch and Martinez come from different directions — Fritsch from Tea Party activism, Martinez from a Democratic past — but both say the party can’t stand pat.

“The whole problem with the Republicans nationally is that they’re unable to field candidates people get excited about,” Fritsch said.

“When we wonder why the party’s seen as not inclusive, or unable to reach beyond the base, that’s what it’s about. Republicans have to have candidates who can communicate about everyday life.”

Martinez said much the same, adding that the party needs more working mothers like her who are “closer to the people.”

About Bud Kennedy

Bud Kennedy is a homegrown Fort Worth guy who started out covering high school football here when he was 16. He went away to the Fort Worth Press and newspapers in Austin and Dallas, then came home in 1981.

Since 1987, he's written more than 1,000 weekly dining columns and more than 3,000 news and politics columns. If you don't like what he says about politics, read him on barbecue.